Table 2. FALL POTATOES: Production and Stocks,

15 Major States, 1994-2003

New York production of fall potatoes for 2003 is estimated at 6.51 million hundredweight (cwt.), up 18 percent from a year ago.

Production of fall potatoes for 2003 is forecast at 412 million cwt., down less than 1 percent from the November forecast and 1 percent below last year. Area harvested, at 1.09 million acres, is down 2 percent from last year but 2 percent above two years ago. The average yield is forecast at 377 cwt. per acre, 1 cwt. below last month but 4 cwt. above last year. Production estimates are generally higher this year in the Central and Eastern States but lower in the West.

Western States production is forecast at 273 million cwt., down 6 percent from last year but 3 percent above 2001. Acreage harvested, at 660,300 acres, decreased 4 percent from last year. The average yield of 414 cwt. per acre is down 7 cwt.. Production decreased in 4 of the 9 Western States. California's yield is down due to hot weather and problems with seed quality. Colorado's production fell 15 percent as farmers reduced planted acreage to conserve underground water supplies following drought conditions during the past two years. Idaho's production decreased 8 percent from last year due to above normal summer temperatures which adversely affected tuber development. In Oregon, dry conditions during June and July reduced yield and tuber sizes. Utah has the largest percentage production increase, up 37 percent from last year. Production in Nevada and Montana increased 25 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Washington's production is 1 percent above last year, while New Mexico's production remains unchanged.

Central States production is forecast at 110 million cwt., up 13 percent from last year and 8 percent above 2001. Harvested area, estimated at 327,500 acres, is up 4 percent, while the average yield of 337 cwt. per acre is up 27 cwt. from a year ago. Production is above last year for all Central States except Indiana, where heavy rains during July caused ponding and flooding in many fields. Hot and dry weather in August contributed to a lower quality crop. Production increases range from 3 percent in South Dakota to 43 percent in Ohio. Minnesota is up 19 percent, North Dakota increased 15 percent, Wisconsin rose 9 percent, Michigan went up 8 percent, and Nebraska increased 12 percent.

Eastern States production is forecast at 28.4 million cwt., up 9 percent from last year and 7 percent above two years ago. Area for harvest totaled 104,000 acres, virtually unchanged from last year. The average yield rose to 273 cwt. per acre, 22 cwt. above last season. Production increases occurred in 4 of the 5 Eastern States. Pennsylvania holds the largest increase, 51 percent higher, due to drought conditions in 2002 which made yields lower than usual. Rhode Island production is up 27 percent and Maine increased less than 1 percent. Massachusetts shows a decrease of 6 percent from last year's production.